Continuous mining apparatus of the chain type for longwall mining



J. A. RUSSELL ETAL 2,939,692 coN'rINuous MINING APPARATUS oF THE: CHAIN TYPE FOR LoNGwALL MINING 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 ZZ l .I a 62 p 2H mv Q m2 am w m a W. N n u n a n n no M M M o n n u n n n n n n u 9 w Wm t M N o o o o o o 2 o K n n In am W a LI m,.w.\= K .nw w m mwr HIIHHIIHUH u H nha M l, nmn/ wy o Nm 1 a u WW, \\\\\$N\\ o f i 0: lrlwm opg o Q u ww m /Jb v www, v

June 7, 1960 Filed oct. 3, 1952 June 7, 1960 J. A. RUSSELL Erm.

CONTINUOUS MINING APPARATUS 0F THE CHAIN TYPE FOR LONGWALL MINING v 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 00's. 5. 1952 wmv site. .Z l l 1Q l am W i W0? f Q 1 n/4. m m u u 0 5 9 Q 9 n J 0 J s 4( Z O Ml 0 Al Q .AIG UrlQ *W Vm \m` \\\W\\\ t QS \9\ w i www uw o QQ 99% l o O O o m N v wm.- Pnm MN @H Q l VHA W w N% mv 19 Nw N@ um um@ 9 June 7, 1960 J. A. RUSSELL ErAL 2,939,692 CONTINUOUS MINING APPARATUS OF THE CHAIN t TYPE FOR LONGWALL MINING Flled Oct. 5, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 June-7, 1960 J. A. RussELL ErAL 2,939,692

CONTINUOUS MINING APPARATUS 0F THE CHAIN TYPE Foa LoNcwALL MINING Filed Oct. 3, 1952 f 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 mm H uw V .w um. @HANK June 7, 1960 .1. A. RUSSELL Erm. 2,939,692

coNTINuous MINING APPARATUS oF THE CHAIN TYPE Foa LoNGwALL MINING Filed Oct. 5, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 7, 1960 J. A. RUSSELL :TAL 2,939,692

CONTINUOUS MINING APPARATUS OF THE vCHAIN TYPE FOR LONGWALL MINING Filed Oct. 3. 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 .Figi/3.

4 7 @Varney engage and drive the disintegrating elements 11 which herein assume the form of endless disintegrating chains as later explained. The shaft 20 has keyed to its opposite ends worm wheels 22 whose hubs are mounted in the bearings 21, in the manner shown.Y The drive for the disintegrating chains may be generally similar tothat disclosed in the copending application, SerialrNo. 131,094 above referred to, and, as in this pending application, the worm wheels are driven by worms 23, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The yworms are xed to parallel longitudinal shafts 24which are connected through intermeshing spur gear-ings 25 and conventional flexible couplings 26 to fthe universal telescopic shaftings 10. The shafts 24 are suitably journaled within the sliding support 4 while the shaftings 10 are suitably journaled within bearings supported by the baseframe 2. Thus, the disintegrating chains 11 may be continuously driven during running of the motors 9 irrespective of the position of the sliding support 4 `along its guides longitudinally relative to the base frame and irrespective of the position of the disintegrating head about its pivotal axis.

`The ldisintegrating head is formed with a series of chain guideways 30, herein desirably seven in number and provided in part by guides 32 secured to the top and bottom of the head frame. The portions 30a of these chain guideways at the forward portion of the head are formed on a front adjustable frame portion or nose 31 `of the head or jib frame, and these forward portions of the guideways are parallel and extend in longitudinal vertical planes, and the central guideway along its entire length is parallel to the longitudinal median line of the machine, while the three guideways at each side of the central chain extend for substantial portions of their length, at 30b along relatively inclined lines which'converge rearwardly toward the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine. The rearward portions 30c of these guideways are parallel with the forward portions but lie closerV together, as shown in Figs. l and 5, so :that the rear pivoted end of the disintegrating head is substantially narrower than its effective forward coal-engaging portion. In other words, the side disintegrating chains extend along lines which diverge forwardly and outwardly from the piVoted end of the disintegrating head, providing a relatively wide eiective forward head portion which is at least as greatin width as the width of any other portion of the machine, thus enabling the head to remove a vertical segment of coal from a solid coal seam, in `a manner to be later described, to provide a passageway in the seam of suicient size to receive the machine as mining progresses.

The adjustable forward or outer nose portion 31 of the head or jib frame is guided for adjustment longitudinally relative to the rearward head frame 16 in a direction extending radially of the head pivot axis to obtain a certain degree of simultaneous tensioning of all seven disintegrating chains, and parallel longitudinally extending guide rods lor bars 33 secured at 34, as by welding, to the sides of the adjustable fra'me portion or nose 31 and guided in bores formed in lateral guide portions 35 integral with the sides of fthe rearward head frame 16, serve to guide the forward nose portion during such adjustment. Adjusting'screws 36 are journaled at 37 on .projections 38 integral with the rearward head frame and these screws have threaded portions received in threaded openings 39 in the guide rods 33. The screws 36 have enlarged annular turning collars 40 formed with suitable radial openings for the reception of a conventional turning bar or wrench insertable therein from the exterior of the head frame. As shown in Figs. and 8, coal guide members or bars 41 are arranged between the upper chain guideways at the top of the jib and provide wall portions at the opposite sides of the central guideway and the next 'two outer guideways at opposite sides of the central guideway for guiding the disintegrated coal as it is moved rearwardly by the chains, and the outermost two of the coal guide members 41 provide inner guide walls at the outermost chain guideways while outer guide wall portions are formed on guide members 42 rigidly secured to the rearward head frame 16 at the remote sides of the head. Obviously, if desired, the outermost guide members 42 may be adjustable laterally relative to the rearward head frame. The six coal guiding and directing members 41 are pivotally secured at their rearward ends by screws 43 to the head frame and are in substantial alignment with rear guide sections 44 rigidly secured byl screws 45 to the rearward head frame. The forward end portions of theA guide members 41 are longitudinally slotted .at 46 and screws 47 pass through these slots and are threaded within openings 48`in the adjustable frame portion or nose 431. It will therefore be evident that when the front screws 47 are loosened and the outer frame portion 31 is adjusted longitudinally along its guides relative to the rearward head frame 16 the coal guiding and directing members 41 will Vswing slightly in common transverse planes at the top of the head frame about their rear screws 43 to change the inclination of these guiding and directing members with respect to the chain guideways. After adjustment of these guide members, if desired, the screws 47 may be tightened to hold the parts firmly in position. It will thus be evident that yas the outer head portion 31 is adjusted along its guides relative to theV rear frame the angular relation of the guide members 41 with respect to the portions 30a of the upper chain guideways is varied slightly, so that the loose coal being conveyed by the upper runs of the disintegrating chains is always properly directed rearwardly and inwardly toward the cross conveyor.

In addition to the adjustment provided by the adjustable outer head or nose frame 31 there are providedv individual adjustments for the seven disintegrating chains. Each guideway portion 30'? is formed in al sliding block or nose piece 52 (Figs. 5 and 6) adjustable longitudinally in parallelism with the path of adjustment of the outer head portion 31, and each of these blocks has longitudinal guideways 53 at its sides for receiving longitudinal guides 54 rigidly secured as by rivets to vertical narrow platelike portions 55 integral with the frame portion 31. Extending longitudinally in each block is in adjusting screw 56 threadedly engaged in openings V57 in the blocks and these screws when rotated effect longitudinal adjustment of the blocks 52 along their guideways relative to the head frame portion 31. First referring to the shorter adjusting screws 56a for the outermost blocks 52 at the remote sides of the head, it will be noted that the screws are arranged in openings 58 in the blocks and have annular flanges 59 which are held rotatably against the nose frame 31 by a retaining ring 60 cooperating with the screw flange for holding the adjusting screw against axial movement with respect to the frame portion 31. The intermediate screws 56b are somewhat longer than the side screws 568: and are arranged in openings 61 in the blocks or nose pieces 52 and have annular anges 62 Fig. 7) at their rear ends and are rotatably held in position against axial movement with respect to the frame portion 31 by retaining rings 63 secured to the frame portion and engaging the screw-ange. There are seven adjusting screws provided, one for each of the seven chain guideways, and the adjusting screws extend the same distance forwardly'and each has a polygonal recesss 64 for receivingpa conventional Allen Wrench. Aligned with and communicating with the openings which receive the adjusting screws are threaded openings 65 which receive screws 66. During adjustment of the sliding blocks the screws 66 are removed from the openings 65 and the Allen Wrench, designated 67 `in Fig. 9, may then be inserted through the opening 65 to bring its polygonal end into engagement with the screw recesses 64 so that the screws may be rotated to effect adjustment of the blocksornose pieces 52. After the blocks 52 have been properly adjusted the wrench may be removed and the renews, 6,.,6. reinserted in tlge needing t and adiusten in; wardlv into abutting. engagement" with .the ed e ser ws to look, the parts in .tiusted position. Ass. own in Figs.A 7 and 9 the. adjusting bloeks 0f nose nieces 52 have terni-simular forward end surfaees 68 so that as the disintegratina onains are. 'ereulated orbitally within their guideways in the head frame the lower runsof the chains leave the bottone Portions of the snitlewavs and Pass around the senti-circular, end surfaees of tlreiile. nose so as,r Yo/ direct the upper runs of the chains rearwardly toward and into. the.' ohain guidewavs at. the top of the head oriibtranre vThe disintegrating chains 1l may assume any suitable torna .laut herein desiralrlv are .of 'the universal ball .and socket type comprising aV series offchain blocks 70 unive, ally "pivotally connected together by ball and socket joint eonneetions. and these elrain blocks have lateral lues fenned. with soekets forreoeiving conventional d..

. ntearatine teethA orbits@ vheld in Position bvusnal set renews.. 7d (Figs.- 7 and 9)- These onains eut out na .llel slots in tlte eoal. to Provide. tores or projections of: eoal between the slots and each ehain ,earries oore breaker laits for breaking away the sores,- As shown .Inost elearlvin Fig 9 eaten of the elrain blocks 70 .is termed with an openingfl to rernnt'thepassage of the. Allen wreneh through the eltain into'position to etfeet adiustnient of the bleek adjusting screws in the manner.. enrlained above. rI-'lrese d isintegrating chains may be generallyt similar in design to that disclosed in United States Patent .No` 2,565,675 granted September 4, 1951. As nnent ned above the. particular structure of the. disintegratmg chains does not per se enter into the present invention and any suitable type, of universal chain may be employed in lieu of. .that disclosed herein.

Secured in a suitable manner to the. remote sides of the upper portionl of the head, frame are.. upstanding denector; plates 8.0, which cooperate te provide a troughlike passageway throughwhich the disintegrated coal is moved rearwardly by the topf runs. of the disintegrating chains vand cooperating with` these d eector platesA are side de- .ilector plates 81 on the tops. of the, gear casings 18 for 'deilec'ting the loose coal rearwardly toward the cross oonyeyor 8. A rearwardly and downwardly inclined transverse bottom plate 82. serves to direct the owof the loose. coal. rearwardly and downwardly toward the upper` run of the conveyor, as shown in Fig.V 3.

Now referring to the head swinging mechanism, it will be noted that the swing cylinder devices 7 are arranged at the opposite sides of the rearward narrow portion'of the, head. These cylinder devices are desirably of the double telescopic type and comprise outer cylinders 85 pivoted on transverse pivot pins 86t`o swing in longitudinal vertical planes, and these pivot pins are supported 'in vspaced parallelr forward projetions 87 integral with the torwardportion of the sliding support 4. As shown in Figs. 10 and 11- each Youter cylinder 85 has parallel front and rear bores V88 which contain reciprocable pistonsv 89 integral with the vparallel upstandinglcylinders 90`.N Reciprocable Ain the bores ofthe cylinders r9,0 are pistons 91 having piston rods 92 rigidly secured at 9-3 at their vuytjiper ends ter a eress meneer or yoke 19.4. Thse'itolses are P ivotallv eonneeted to oross 'pivot pins 95 .sunportedat tire outer sides of. tne rearward head franle A1,6 (see also .Fiss Thus! when .liquid under Pressure ,issunnlied to thelnwer ends of the bores of the outer .teylinlderal the Pistons S9 nd 91 are nuoved upwardly to eteot swinging gli `tegrating head in vertieal planes upwardly about its pivot 5, and when liquid is trapped in fhes'e er borestne disintegrating head is firmly looked, in

position- By venting liquid from the. .eylmder head may swing downwardly at a controlled rate The. arrangement of Pairs .of cylinders arranged side by side in longitudinal vertical planes greatly reduces the. .lateral dimensions V.ef the swing mechanism so that .innen-.less widthk is fenntredtnan would neneaessarvif single large cylinders were employed, and the telescopic oylindendpi'sto arrangement' provides awide i, o of swing with relatively great compatness. A botto'fn passageway V96 is suitably oonlnected to the' Erger-"cylinder bores'beneath the pistons anda suitable valve 97' serves to permit rapid-lowering ofthe head. rEhe large cylinder bores at the 'upper sidesof the pistons?89`hayewport connections 98 connected by oonduits`99 lwith"sniallliiiuid tanks 100 (Fig. l1) so that 'as the pistons moyeupwardl'y; liquid is ,force'd'out' 'ofthe upper ends ofthe cylinder bores and whenl the pistons are lowered ,liquid drayynintothe cylinder bores.' Such an arrangement maintains liquid `in the upper end s of the cylinder bores at lthe upper lsides of the pistons while keeping out dust and The cross conveyor 8 is reversible and may discharge from Yeither side of the machine Iand is driven by a'y versible hydraulic motor 106 `(Figs. 3 and l2); Arranged longitudinally of the ibase framed!l areparallel double acting hydraulic cylinders 128 (seeliigf)y which contain reciprocal pistorlsl (not shown) having forwardly extending piston' rods 130 'pivotally scoured at their forward ends at v131 to `brackets 132 secured to the sliding support 4. By properly supplying liquid under pressure to 'these cylinders the disintegrating head may be moved forwardly relative to the' base tofeiect surnping at the floor level and may be retracted from-the face atthe roof level asv'la'ter' explained.' Also arranged at the opposite sides of the base Vfratrie at the front end of the latter are vertical floor jack cylinders 133 `(Ese'e Figs. 2 and- 3) and at the opposite sides ofthe rearward portion of the rbase trame are vertical floor jack cylinders 134, and the pistons of these j'acks may bev lowered into engagement with the floor to tilt thelbase frame to Vydirect the disintegrating head atithe desired 'angle' durbe 'mounted at the rearA endof -the base fr'me'and has' itsv pistons movable into engagement with thefiloor and roofto secure the'base imposition during operation 'of the machine on a relatively steep incline. "'Of course, under operating conditions where theiiloor or pavement is substantially level' this holding-column may'fbe omitted.

N ow referring to ythe hydraulic system onl the inachine shown `diagrai'nrnat-icallyin Fig. l2, it will be noted that the pumping means driven bythe motor 12 cornprises dual or twin pumps 143 andy ,144.' connected to the front endof the motor and a ksmall *pump4 145 connected to vthe rear end `of the motor. A'liquid! tank 146 is mountedon the base frame rearwardlyof the cross con- 'Veyor 8, as shown in Fig. 3, and these twin pumps have their suctionlsides connected by conduits 147 and 14S 'to thetanlrA the'suction side of the rpurnp145v is connected to lthe tank jby a conduit '149. The discharge sides of the'twin pumps are connected by conduits '15o and 151 to the pressure passages of controly 'valve devices 152 and 153 respectively. The discharge passages of these valve devices are connected by conduits 154 an-d 155`to a discharge line 156 leading back to the tank. The .control devices have bores containing the usual control valves 157, 158 and 159, 160 and lthese valves haveV suitable conveniently located control handles. The bores containing'the valves 157 and l159 are connected by conduits 161', 162 and 163, 164 to the opposite ends of the rear jack cylinders 134. The lbores containing the uvalves 1158 and are connected by conduits 165, 166 and 1 67, v168 to the opposite sides of the reversible, variable speed hydraulic motors or engines 169 for independently driving the lcrawler treads'15. The discharge side of the small pump`145 iscounected by a condi/J' 117i) yto a control valve device- 171v having bores nage rassaaeof. dns valve. devise 'is sonnette@ PY 7 conduit 4174 to the return line 156 leading back to the tank. Y -f Leading from the pressure passages of the valve device 152 and 153 are conduits 175 and 176 connected to a pressure line 177 leading to the pressure passage of a control valve device 178, the latter having bores containing the usual control valves 180, 181, 182v and 183 and these control valves likewise' have conveniently located control handles. The discharge passage of the valve devicel 178 is connected by a conduit 184 to the discharge line 156 leading back to the tank. The bores containing the valves 181 and 182 are connected by conduits 185, 186, and 187, 188 to the opposite ends of the front jack cylinders 133 While the bore containing the valve 183 is connected by branched conduits 189 and 190 leading to the opposite ends of the feed or sump cylinders 128. Conduits 191 and 192 may lead from the conduits 189 and 190 -to the opposite ends of the holding column 135. A telescopic cylinder and piston arrangement or so-called trombone structure is provided for eliminating some of the flexible conduits and, in this instance, comprises a series of tubular conduits or cylinders 195 secured to the base frame 2 and connected tothe control valve devices 171 and 178. Conduits or tubes 196 are secured to `a transverse block or manifold 197 connected, as by brackets 198, yto the sliding support 4 and these conduits extend through suitable packings at the opposite ends of the cylinders 195 and are closed at their rear ends by suitable plugs 201. Ports in the tubular conduits 196 connect the interior of the latter with the bores of the cylinders 195 and the forward ends of the conduits are connected to passages in the block 197. It will thus be seen that irrespective of the position of the sliding support along its guideways relative to the -base frame fluid may be supplied through the cylinders 195 and tubes 196 to the passages in the block 197, while constant volume is maintained. The bore containing the valve 172 is connected 'by conduits 205 and 206 leading to two of the cylinders 195 respectively and the passages in theV manifold 197 are connected by conduits 207 and 208 to the opposite sides of the reversible hydraulic motor 106 for driving .the conveyor. The bore containing the valve 173 is connected by a conduit 209 to another of the cylinders 195 and through a conduit 210 connected to the manifold 197 and branch conduits 211 and 212 toV the cylinders 119 (Fig. l2) of a hydraulic tension release mechanism for the belt conveyor. The bore containing the valve 180 of the valve device 178 is connected by a conduit 213 to another of the cylinders 195 and through the passage of the manifold 197 to a conduit 214 and branch conduits 215 and 2'16 to the cylinders 85 of the swing cylinder devices 7. The hydraulic system above described is provided with the usual overload release valves, pressurereducing valves, check -v-alves, etc. and since these are conventional in such systems they are not described in detail herein.

The control handles for the various control valves and the control elements for the several electric motors are compactly arranged at the rear end of the base, so that the operator may control the machine while standing in back of the machine, in a convenient manner.

The general mode of operation of the improved continuous mining machine is as follows: The machine may be propelled and steered as it travels about the mine by the crawler treads driven by the motors 169 which are controlled by the valves 158 and 160 of the valve devices 152 and 153. As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 13, the machine is designed to travel alongV a longwall coal face designated L and as tne disintegrating head is operated to dislodge and disintegrate the coal, the disintegrated coal is moved rearwardly from the face by the the cross conveyor 8 which in turn discharges the disintegrated coal laterally from the machine ontoV efface tended alongA the face at the face sides of the roof props oriposts. The machine is designed to operate in either direction along the coal face.

When the machine is in operating position at the face, as `shown diagrammatically in Fig. 14, the disintegrating head may swing downwardly about its pivot 5 by venting liquid from the cylinders 85 of the swing cylinder devices?, under the control of the control valve 180 until the outer nose or tip end of the head is disposed at the floor level, as indicated in dotted lines at A in Fig. 14. Liquid vmay then be trapped in the cylinders 85 under the control of the valve 180 to lock the head against swinging movement, and the valve 183 may then be manipulated to supply liquid under pressure to feed cylinders 128 which slide the support 4 rectilinearly ,forwardly along its guides relative to the base frame 2 to sump the outer nose portion of the head into the coal at the oor level, as indicated in dotted lines at B in Fig. 14. The valve 183 may' then be positioned to trap liquid in the cylinders 128 to hold the sliding support in position against movement relative to the base and the valve 180 may be manipulated to effect supply of liquid under pressure to the cylinders ,85 of the swing devices 7 to swing the head upwardly about its pivot. As the head is swung upwardly the disintegrating chains tear away the coal in relatively large lumps from the solid coal seam and ydisintegrate the coal and convey the disintegrated coal along the top of the head to the cross conveyor 8. When the nose or tip end of the head reaches the roof level, as

indicated in dotted lines at C in Fig. 14, the valve 180 may be positioned to trap liquid in the swing cylinders 85 to hold the head against swinging movement and the valve 183 may again be positioned to elect liquid supply to feed cylinders 128 to retract the support 4 rec'- tilinearly along its guides relative to the base to withdraw the headnose from the face to the position indicated in dotted lines at D in Fig. V14. These positioning, sumping,

swinging and withdrawal operations are rapidly repeated during operation ofthe machine so that the coal is rapidly mined and loaded out. The machine is, of course, advanced between each disintegrating cycle by the treads of the crawler base. The valves 157 and 159 of thel valve devices 152 and 153 and the valves 181 and 182 of the valve device 178 may be positioned to effect supply of liquid pressure to the lloor jack cylinders 133 and 134 to vary the tilted position of the base frame with respect to the horizontal thereby to enable guiding of the disintegrating head atV the proper angle with respect Yto the floor or pavement during the sumping operation. When the machine is operated along a longwall face having a steep gradient, it is desirable to start the machine at the top of the face and to proceed downwardly, and the Aholding column 135, also controlled by the valve 183, may

be set up between the door and roof to hold the base stationary during the sumping, swinging and withdrawal operations of the disintegrating head, and this holding column may be released each time the machine is advanced by the treads. The conveyor driving motor 106 may be controlled by the valve 172 to effect conveyor drive in the desired direction.V During the sumping and withdrawal operations of the head the motors 9 remain stationary with the base frame while the head is driven through the universal telescopic shaft connections 10, eliminating radical shifting of the center of gravity thereby resulting in better machine-balance. The telescopic cylinder and tube conduit Vor so-called trombone arrangement provides for constant liquid volume as the cylinders and tubes are extended and collapsed during the rectilinear movements o-f the head, and by their provision numerous .ilexible conduits have been eliminated. Since the general mode of operation of the continuous miner of this application is fully disclosed in the copending ap- Duration Serial No.. 1.31 Q?4, referred torfhuther discussion: thereof. is herein considered'. unnecessary,.-

As a result Ot this invention.. an proved continuous mining .arnaratl1-sY is Provided which. 1s racially dsigmd for use inthe miningof coal in accordance with the longwall systen'i.v Thenoveldisintegrating head structure ernbodying the. improved diverging arrangement of the disintegrating chains substantially improves, the removal of coal from the solid, lresulting in more rapid production of relatively coarse coal. By the provision ofthe individual adjusting devices for the `dijsintegrating chains the obtaining of the proper chain tension is facilitated. The machine is .compact and Well balanced, Capable f operating on steeply inclined grades, and is readily maneuverable. These and other advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume -in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modied and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope ofthe appended claims.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a continuous mining apparatus, a coal disinrtegrating mechanism for dislodging coal from a solid coal seam comprising a swingable head frame having a series of guideways and an outer coal-engaging portion, and endless disintegrating chains guided for orbital cir-4 culation along said guideways, said chains adapted to ex in angularly related planes, said guideways having parallel forward and rearward portions, and intermediate portions diverging forwardly away from the head pivot, said rearward portions of said guideways being parallel withsaid forward portions butrspaced closer together whereby the outer coal-engaging portion of said head -is substantially wider than its pivoted rear portion.

2. A disintegrating head mechanism for a continuous mining apparatus comprising a swingable head frame having guideways with portions of said guideways diverging forwardly and outwardly away from the head pivot, and orbitally movable disintegrating chains adapted to flex in angularly related planes and guided for circulation about said guideways, the outer portions of said guideways lying in a common zone extending transversely of said head frame so that the outer end of the head mechanism lies in a straight line parallel to the pivotal Y axis of said head frame.

3. A disintegrating head mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said guideways have adjusting means individual to each chain and respectively engaging the latter for individually placing said chains under the proper tension.

4. A disintegrating head mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said head frame has a nose provided with individual nose pieces guided on said frame and which are independently adjustable to vary the tension of each chain, and individual adjusting devices are provided for said nose pieces for independently -adjusting the latter.

5. A disintegrating head mechanism for a continuous mining apparatus comprising a head frame provided to swing in vertical planes and the outer transverse portion of the head mechanism lying in a straight line parallel to the pivotal axis of said head frame, said head frame having chain guideways which diverge forwardly and outwardly from the head pivot, and universal disintegrating chains each having chain elements and universal pivotal connections between said chain elements whereby the chains may flex in angularly related planes, said chains being guided for orbital movement along said guideways.

6. A disintegrating head mechanism as set forth in claim 5 wherein said head frame is provided with an outer nose and said chain guideways have guiding portions on said nose extending in parallel longitudinal vertical planes,

. 'outer pedidasalonslinesfwhihsdn 7- A dismtssratl. a head median cla-im 6 wherein said guideways at the rearward portion of said-head frame have guiding portions parallel`with said guiding portions. of; said; nose; dirsstf the rearward portions of said chains along parallel longitudinal vertical paths as they pass about the head frame pivot.

8. A disintegrating head mechanism for a continuous mining apparatus for dislodging coal from a solid coal seam comprising` a support, a head frame pivotally mounted-on said support to swing invertical planes and providing guideways, endless disintegrating chains adapted to llex in angularly related planes and guided for orbital movement along said guideways, said head having said guideways and said chains arranged with portions extending along lines converging rearwardly from the forward portion of said head mechanism to provide a relatively wide forward coal-engaging portion lying in a straight line parallel with the pivotal axis of said head frame, and a narrower rearward pivoted end portion, and extensible power swing devices mounted on said support at the sides of said narrow head portion within the rearward projection of the lateral limits of said wide forward portion for swinging said head frame about its pivot.

9. A disintegrating head mechanism as set fonh 4in claim 8 wherein said power swing devices are pivotally mounted on `said support to swing in vertical planes about aligned axes parallel with the head frame pivot axis, and each comprising a pair of coacting parallel cylinders arranged side by side in a common longitudinal zone and respectively containing reciprocable pistons movable in unison, and said pistons having pivotal connection with said head frame on aligned axes parallel with said cyiinder pivot axes.

10. A disintegrating head mechanism for a continuous mining apparatus for dislodging coal from a solid coal seam comprising a head frame pivoted to swing in vertical planes and having an adjustable nose, said head frame provid-ing a series of guideways, a series of endless disintegrating chains guided for circulation along said guideways, said guideways having diverging forwardly away from the frame pivot and said chains moving along said guide portions and about said nose, a series of swingable coal guiding and directing members pivoted to swing in common planes extending transversely of said head frame, said swingable members disposed intermediate said guideways at the top of said head frame, means for adjusting said nose relative to said head frame, and connections between said nose and said coal guiding and directing members for effecting swinging of the latter into different angular positions about their pivots as said nose is adjusted.

ll. A disintegrating head mechanism as set forth in claim 10 wherein said coal guiding and directing members are longitudinally slotted at their forward portions and screws are secured to said nose and passed through said slots, said slots being inclined with respect to the path of adjustment of said nose relative to said head frame `itis/hereby nose adjustment elfects swinging of said memers.

12. A disintegrating head mechanism for dislodging coal from a solid coal seam comprising a head frame pivoted to swing in vertical planes and having an adjustable outer nose and guiding means including a series of guideways, a series of disintegrating chains movable in orbital paths relative to said guiding means including movement along said guideways and about'said nose, and a series of relatively adjustable nose pieces guided in said nose, one nose piece individual to each chain, means for adjusting said nose, and means for'individually adr intermediate portions A l1 12 justing said nose pieces, said guideways having portions 2,564,038 Stephenson Aug. 14, 1951 diverging forwardly away from the head pivot and said 2,566,675 Proctor Sept. 4, 1951y chains each comprising a series of links and means for 2,590,183 Keesling Mar. 25, 1952 universally pivotally connecting said links, Said guiding 2,655,362 Rollins Oct. 13, 1953 means including said guideways constructed and arranged 5 2,689,117 Lindberg Sept. 14, 19,54 to cause said chains to ex in angularly related planes as 2,689,720 Cartlidge Sept. 21, 1954 they travel along said guideways. 2,691,513 McElhattan Oct. 12, 1954 2,721,067 Russell et al Oct. 18, 1955 References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1o FOREIGN PATENTS 827,049 vraalstad June 24, 1906 17786 Great Britain 0f 1914 1,195,396 Recen Aug. 22, 1916 1,233,494 Morgan July 17, 1917- OTHER REFERENCES 1,283,880 OToole Nov.' 5, 1918 Coal Age, October 1951, indicated as published 2,430,197 Wells et al Nov. 4, 1947 15 monthly on the 1st, pages 5 and 82-86. Y 

